Recruit teachers from overseas

The1. points-basedCheck immigrationthe system

Therules UKon introducedvisas aand points-based immigration

Applicants systemfor onteaching 1jobs January 2021. This affects how you employ teachers who are not UK or Irish nationals. All overseas nationals arriving in the UK from 1overseas, January 2021, including those from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, comeneed undera thevisa points-basedor other immigration system.

Irishstatus citizensallowing canthem continue to enter, work and study in the UKUK.

Applicants underalready have the Commonright Travelto Areawork asin theythe couldUK previously.if they:

Recruit

• are byIrish becomingcitizens
• have asettled visaor sponsor

Skilledpre-settled Workerstatus visa

Overseasunder teachersthe canEU applySettlement for a Skilled Worker visaScheme

have upindefinite leave to 3remain months before they start work in the UK under the following conditions:

• you,

  Most asother theapplicants employer,will areneed a licensedskilled Homeworker Officevisa, employerwhich sponsortheir andemployer havemust offeredsponsor. theThe overseassponsor teachercan abe teaching job

• the overseasschool teacherwhere canthey speak,work, read, write and understand English
• the rolelocal paysauthority, at least £20,480 or thean relevantacademy minimumtrust. rateSponsors formust teachershave ina England,‘worker whicheverlicence’, issometimes higherreferred (minimumto ratesas foran teachers‘employer arelicence’.

  Your inschool theor Schoolorganisation teachers’may payalready andbe conditionsa documentlicensed 2021worker andsponsor. guidanceCheck onthe schoolregister teachers’of paylicensed andsponsors: conditionsworkers).

  If -you’re ifnot thealready rolea issponsor, part-time,you pro-ratacan rateseither will apply asto longbecome asa thesponsor, salaryor isrecruit atapplicants leastwho £20,480don’t aneed year

to be sponsored.

BecomeApply to become a licensed worker sponsor

You needcan arefer sponsorto licenceUK visa sponsorship for employers to hirelearn amore teacherabout fromhow overseasto onbecome a Skilledlicensed Workerworker visa.sponsor.

YouTo canbecome bea thelicensed employingworker localsponsor, authority,you multi-academywill trustneed orto:

• show schoolyou’re suitable to holdbe thea sponsor
• appoint licence.

  Youa canmember checkof ifstaff youto aremanage alreadythe asponsorship licensedprocess

• supply sponsor.supporting Youdocuments
• pay canyour becomelicence afees
• meet licensedyour sponsorresponsibilities byas followinga thissponsor

Recruit step-by-stepapplicants guidance.who Thisdon’t guidanceneed coversto furtherbe informationsponsored

Applicants aboutwith beingthe afollowing sponsor,visa includingor yourimmigration responsibilities.

Recruitstatus withoutwill becomingnot aneed sponsor

to be sponsored.

Graduate visa

TheInternational Graduatestudents visain isthe availableUK tocan internationalapply studentsfor whoa havegraduate successfullyvisa completedon successful completion of their degreedegree. inTo theapply, UKthey’ll andneed to have been sponsored by aan eligible Home Office licensed student sponsor.sponsor Thisover includesthe certaincourse postgraduateof coursestheir such as initial teacher training at universities.studies.

ThoseThe ongraduate a Graduate visa willallows beholders able to workwork, or look for workwork, in the UK at any skill level without a sponsor for up to 2 years after completing their studies (3 years for PhD students).students) without a sponsor. This includes working as a teacher.

Teachersteacher, as well as training to teach on a Graduatesalaried visacourse willor bethrough ablea toteaching applyapprenticeship.

They tocan switch from a graduate visa to another visa route(such such as the Skilledskilled Workerworker visa) without having to leave the UK if they meet the requirements for thetheir othernew visa route.visa.

Youth

High Mobilitypotential Schemeindividual visa

ATo Youthbe Mobilityeligible Schemefor a high potential individual visa, laststeachers formust:

• have upa toBachelor’s 2degree, yearsMaster’s anddegree isor forPhD youngfrom peoplea ageduniversity 18listed toin 30the whoglobal universities list
• have certainbeen typesawarded oftheir Britishqualification nationalityno ormore arethan from5 certainyears countries.before Teachersthey canapply
• have workEnglish onlanguage thisskills visato withoutB1 intermediate level
• have personal funds of £1,270
• pass a sponsoringsecurity employer.
  and criminality check

TeachersThey ondo anot Youthneed Mobilityan Schemeoffer visaof maya beteaching ablejob to apply tofor switchthis tovisa anotherand visathey’ll routebe (suchable asto thestay Skilledin Workerthe visa)UK withoutfor leaving2 theyears UK.with They’lla needBachelor’s toor meetMaster’s thedegree, requirementsand for3 theyears otherwith visaa route.PhD.

Other

Youth visas

mobility scheme visa

TeachersThe onyouth othermobility typesscheme ofallows visasyoung maypeople alsofrom becertain permittedcountries to workcome into the UK.UK Youeach canyear findto outstudy moreor aboutwork Familywithout visas,a thesponsoring UKeducational Ancestryinstitution visaor andsponsoring theemployer. BritishThis Nationalincludes (Overseas)working visa.as a teacher.

YouA canyouth alsomobility findscheme outvisa morelasts aboutup theto various2 documentsyears. thatHolders can beswitch acceptedfrom whenthe checkingyouth amobility jobscheme applicant’svisa right to workanother visa (such as the skilled worker visa.) without having to leave the UK if they meet the requirements for their new visa.

EU

Family, SettlementUK Scheme

Ancestry and British National (Overseas) visas

CitizensApplicants ofwith the EEAfollowing ortypes Switzerlandof mightvisa bewill ablenot need to applybe tosponsored:

• Family thevisas

• UK EUAncestry Settlementvisa

• British SchemeNational to(Overseas) continuevisa

Dependents

People living,who workinghave andpermission studyingto live in the UK withoutas applyinga fordependent (usually partner or child) of someone on a visa.

Thestudent deadlinevisa foror mosta peopleskilled toworker applyvisa will not need to thebe EUsponsored. SettlementThey Schemecan waswork 30without Junea 2021.

Citizenssponsor offor the EEAduration of their partner’s or Switzerland,parent’s visa.

2. Check visa and theirimmigration familycharges

The members,cost canof stillinternational applyrecruitment ifdepends theyon orthe asize familyof memberyour wereschool livingand inis themade UKup byof 31the Decemberfollowing 2020.charges.

Skilled worker licence

TheyThis mustcosts alsofrom either:

• meet£536 oneto of£1,476 depending on the criteriasize forof ayour laterschool, deadlineand tois apply
• havepaid ‘reasonableevery grounds’4 foryears. notIt applyingcovers byall 30teachers Junerecruited 2021

in that period.

More

Certificate informationof sponsorship fee

This is availablea aboutone-off thepayment eligibilityof criteria£199 for latereach applicationsteacher tosponsored and is only paid again if the EUvisa Settlementneeds Scheme.to be renewed.

Immigration skills charge (ISC)

ApplicationsThis costs from £364 to £1,000 depending on the EUsize Settlementof Schemeyour canschool alsoand beis madepaid byupfront thosefor whoeach alreadyyear haveof pre-settleda statusteacher’s andvisa (unless they are applyingswitching forfrom settleda status.student Thosevisa).

Total whocosts

For haveexample pre-settleda statussmall mustschool applyis likely to theincur EUa Settlementone-off Schemepayment againof before£735 their(£536 pre-settled+ status£199) expiresplus toan stayannual infee theof UK.£364.

Teaching vacancies

SchoolsMulti canacademy alsotrusts advertiseare teachingcharged rolesa freesingle onfee DfE’s(not Teachinga Vacanciesfee service.

Gettingper qualifiedschool teacherwithin statusthe (QTS)

trust).

ThereYou arewill differentnot arrangementspay forany overseasfees teachersto whorecruit wantsomeone towith geta QTS.visa or immigration status that doesn’t require sponsorship.

IfVisa thefees teacherare haspaid ato degreethe butHome hasOffice. limitedYou teachingwill experience,pay:

• the theylicence canfee trainwhen toyou teachmake onyour asponsorship courseapplication
• the thatcertificate willof givesponsorship themfee QTSand ISC. Therewhen isyou alsoassign guidancea oncertificate becomingof asponsorship qualifiedto that teacher ifprior they’reto nottheir avisa graduate.
  application

If

3. theyAdvertise haveyour ateaching degreejob

You andcan moreuse thanDfE’s 2Teaching yearsVacancies service to advertise teaching experience,jobs theyand canother achieveschool QTSroles byto completingapplicants from all over the assessmentworld. onlyIt routeis withoutfree doingto moreuse training.for schools and applicants.

IfYou theycan arerecruit ateaching qualifiedand teachereducation support staff from theoverseas followingfor places,any theysubject canor getage QTSrange, withoutas havingwell toas doSEND teacherpractitioners.

To trainingattract orhigh-quality assessmentoverseas only:applicants, you should be clear English schools require teachers with qualities beyond academic excellence and subject knowledge, for example:

• Australiathe ability to offer pastoral care
• Canada
• an appreciation of the EUethos of your school
• Gibraltar
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Newsoft Zealandand communication skills
• Northernwillingness Irelandto participate in the extra-curricular life of the school
• Norway
• Scotland
• Switzerland
• USA
• Wales

There

4. isShortlist moreand informationinterview

Many aboutschools QTSnow andshortlist aboutoverseas routescandidates tofor QTSpotential foremployment teachersusing andremote thoseworking withtechnology.

You teachingcan:

• set experiencewritten outsidetasks thefor UK.candidates
• ask Thereto issee alsolesson informationplans
• request ona howvideo overseasportfolio teachersof canapplicants’ cometeaching practice
• talk to Englandreferees toover teach.
  a video conferencing service like Zoom

Employing

Qualification overseasrequirements for teachers withoutfrom overseas

Qualified teacher status (QTS) (theis 4-yeara rule)

Overseaslegal teachersrequirement can teach in maintained schools andin non-maintainedEngland. specialThe schoolsmajority of teachers in Englandacademies withoutand qualifiedfree teacherschools statusalso (have QTS).

The for4-year uprule exemption

Overseas applicants do not need QTS to 4teach years.in Thismaintained isschools calledin England for the 4-yearfirst rule.

It4 isyears illegalof fortheir overseasstay teachersin tothe continueUK, workingan asexemption aknown teacheras inthe a‘4-year maintainedrule’. school(In oracademies non-maintainedand specialfree schoolschools, inthere Englandis forno longerlegal thanrequirement 4for yearsteachers withoutto hold QTS, unlessat thereany ispoint anotherin legaltheir basis to teach.employment.)

TheTo 4-yearbe ruleeligible appliesfor tothe overseas4-year teachersrule, whothe meetapplicant allwill ofneed theto following conditions:have:

• they have

  qualified as a teacher in a country outside of the UK

• they

  successfully have completed a course of teacher training that is recognised by the competentorganisation authoritythat ofregulates thatteachers in the country

• where they qualified

If you are employedemploying ina maintainedteacher schoolsunder andthe non-maintained4-year specialrule, schools,note buttheir notsalary will have to meet the minimum requirement for a pupilskilled referralworker unit

Whatvisa, youwhich needis toslightly do

higher than an unqualified teacher’s minimum pay outside London.

IfThe you4-year arerule employingexemption andoes overseasnot teacher,apply youto shouldpupil tellreferral them:units (PRUs), alternative provision academies, or alternative provision free schools, where QTS is required from the beginning of their employment.

• about

  Extending the 4-year rule whenperiod

  If youoverseas employteachers them

• thattake maternity, paternity, adoption, parental or shared parental leave, or take time off because of pregnancy, they can extend this 4-year period by the amount of statutory leave taken.

  Exemptions for instructors and teaching assistants

  Overseas teachers do not need QTS (orto anotherteach legalif basis)they toare teachemployed longeras thaninstructors 4teaching yearsvocational insubjects somethat typesrequire ofspecial qualifications or experience. It is up to the school

to decide whether an overseas teacher is suitable for an instructor role.

ThereOverseas isteachers guidancedo not need QTS to work as teaching assistants.

Routes to QTS for overseas teachers

Teachers who wantqualified overseas, or have teaching experience overseas, can apply to getthe Teaching Regulation Agency for QTS ator qualifiedundergo teacherassessment statusonly (QTS).

When

Teachers overseasworking teachersin England under the 4-year rule can teachapply for longerassessment thanonly 4QTS yearsalongside withouttheir work in school.

You can check whether an applicant has QTS

using Teacher Services through DfE Sign-in.

StatutoryInterviewing leaveand appointing overseas teachers

OverseasOur teachersresearch canshows teachschools longertake thana 4variety yearsof withoutapproaches QTSto if,final duringselection. thatFor time,some theyschools haveinterviews conducted online, taken onetogether ofwith all the followingother formsinformation provided, are a successful and reliable way of leave:ensuring candidates are a good fit.

• maternity

  Other leave

• paternityschools leave
• adoptionwill leave
• parentalmake leave
• sharedan parentalannual leave
• timevisit offto becauseuniversity ofrecruitment pregnancy

Iffairs theyin havetheir takentarget statutorycountry leave,or thencountries. overseasThis teachersgenerates a shortlist of candidates who can teachthen forformally longerapply.

Schools thanwill 4also yearsuse forrecruitment anagencies equivalentto periodsupport ofthem through the statutorywhole leaverecruitment thatprocess, theyincluding havesifting taken.and interviewing candidates.

Instructors

5. Make a conditional offer and check suitability

OverseasAny teachersapplicant canyou teachwish longerto thanemploy 4will yearsneed ifa job offer from you before they areapply employedfor astheir anskilled instructor.worker Instructorsvisa. They can teachapply subjects,up includingto vocational3 training,months thatbefore requirethey specialstart qualificationswork orin experiencethe (orUK both).as long as:

There

• you isas notheir definitionemployer ofare speciala qualificationslicensed andworker experience.sponsor
• you Thesehave areoffered mattersthem thata thejob
• they localhave authoritymet orthe governingEnglish bodylanguage needrequirements tofor bea satisfiedskilled with.worker Anvisa
• their overseasteaching teacherrole canpays onlyat beleast employed£20,480, asor anthe instructorrelevant ifminimum theyrate havefor theteachers specialin qualificationsEngland, orwhichever experienceis neededhigher for(minimum therates instructorfor post.

  Overseas teachers can alsobe workfound asin teachingSchool assistantsteachers’ (withoutpay QTS)and for conditions

• any periodpart-time ofrole time.
  pays at least £20,480 (pro-rata rates will then apply)

Safeguarding checks for teachers from overseas

CandidatesIndividuals fromwho overseashave lived or worked outside the UK must undergo the same checks as all other staff in schools,schools. includingThey obtainingshould analso enhancedundergo DBSadditional certificatechecks withrelated barredto listinternational information.recruitment Thisand stilltraining.

Schools appliescan evenuse ifa therange candidateof hasinformation neversources beenand toevidence as part of their safeguarding procedures for international recruitment, including the UK.items included in this section.

WhenWe recruiting,expect schools to draw on a varying range of sources on a case-by-case basis, depending on the individual in question. It is good practice to carry out a risk assessment, recording the evidence you have gathered to reach your decision and showing you have no grounds for concern about the applicant.

Schools must:

1. followFollow the statutory guidance in part 3 of Keeping children safe in education.

2. Apply (KCSIE)for statutoryan guidanceenhanced DBS certificate, whichwith setsChildren’s outBarred List information on behalf of the saferapplicant, recruitmenteven checksif the applicant has never been to the UK. Note that a DBS check can only be performed if the applicant can submit proof of right to work, for example a visa. This means that schools mustmay conduct.need to make a conditional offer in order for a visa application to be approved and a DBS check performed.

3. makeCheck anythat furtherthe checksapplicant theyis thinknot appropriatesubject soto thata relevantprohibition eventsorder thatissued occurredby outsidethe Secretary of theState UKfor canEducation bein consideredEngland, -(the ‘Prohibited List’) via the HomeTeaching OfficeRegulation providesAgency.

4. Make guidancefurther onchecks appropriate to applicants from outside the UK. This could include criminalCriminal records checks for overseas applicants. Where this information is not available, schools should seek alternative methods of checking suitability, some of which we list below.

5. carryPerform outan additionalonline checkssearch foron teachingshortlisted roles,applicants which– mayanything includeyou’re informationconcerned about theircan pastthen conduct,be forraised example,at byinterview. checkingThis documentsis issuedparticularly byimportant overseasas teachingnon-UK authoritiescountries -have youdifferent shouldpolicies alsorelating considerto thisthe evidencetypes togetherof withoffences otheron informationa whichcriminal yourecord, haveand obtainedhow throughlong otherthey saferare employmentstored checks.for.

Helping

Schools teachersshould settlealso:

1. Request inat toleast school

You2 references, one of which should be from the trainee’s most recent employment. References must be obtained directly from the referee, who should be a senior person with appropriate authority. ‘To whom it may findconcern’ references must not be accepted unless they are validated as genuine by the followingreferee. checklistReferences helpfulobtained whenvia puttingemail supportmust inbe placesent forfrom internationala teachers.verifiable Beforeemail termaddress. starts:

• helpConcerns arising from the teacherreference secureshould localbe accommodationdiscussed with the referee and, where appropriate, the applicant.

• allocate

  Request aan mentoremployment history to supportinvestigate withany lessoninconsistencies planning,and behaviourunexplained managementgaps strategiesin oremployment peerand, observations

• putif togetherthe aapplicant detailedis inductioncurrently packunemployed, including:
  • detailscontact oftheir keymost staff,recent timetableemployer andto tutorfind groupout (ifwhy applicable)they left their last job. Recent graduates do not need to supply an employment history, unless they have carried out part-time work, which they should declare.

  • behaviour

    Request managementevidence strategiesof professional standing – for example, a letter from the classroom,organisation that regulates teachers in the school’scountry behaviourwhere policythe -applicant rewardsqualified, andconfirming sanctions,their whatstatus supportas isa availableteacher. andIdeally, whenthis itdocument should bealso sought

  • tourconfirm ofthat the school
  • healthapplicant’s authorisation to teach has never been suspended, barred, cancelled, revoked or restricted and safetythat they have no sanctions against them. For countries where teachers are automatically eligible for QTS, Teacher Qualifications, Professional recognition: evidence required lists relevant documentation. For everywhere else, the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications can give advice on the organisations to contact.

Recruiting teachers from Ukraine

If you’re carrying out safeguarding policy

usechecks ofon computersUkrainian andcitizens, softwareit (formay example,be Generalhelpful Datato Protectionknow Regulation,that acceptablethey usecan policy,apply whiteboardto training,the staffMinistry email)

managementof informationInternal systemAffairs trainingof (forUkraine example,for SIMS)a criminal record check, which will be emailed to includethem. takingThey registers,can behaviourthen andcontact rewards,the studentUkrainian progressEmbassy data

schoolin daythe andUK calendarfor (fora example,translation lessonof times,the hours,criminal staffrecord meetingscheck and briefings,a termletter dates,confirming insetits days,validity.

You parents’can evenings)

keyfind schoolinformation policiesabout tothe includeUkrainian behaviour,education sanctionssystem andat rewards,Enic-Naric assessment,- teachingUkraine and learning,at specialthe educationalUkrainian needsMinistry andof disabilities

receptionEducation.

Checking andyour visitorsapplicant’s right to schoolwork

Whatever protocols

sharedyour resourcessuccessful (forapplicant’s example,visa teachingor resources,immigration examstatus, boardyou specifications,are schemesresponsible offor checking their right to work. andYou lessoncan plans,do equipment,this stationery)

CPDonline, andor staffby training

protocolschecking their documents.

You do not need to do checks for absenceexisting andemployees illnessfrom reporting

professionalthe expectationsEU, (forEEA example,or dressSwitzerland code)

performanceif managementthey andcame probationaryto procedures

the UK before 1 July 2021.

InternationalIrish teacherscitizens can use their Irish passport and passport card to prove their right to work.

6. Improve retention

You may findwish to consider the following websiteschecklist aboutas Englishyou educationprepare helpful:for the arrival of an international teacher.

As they plan their move, you can help with information about:

• typesfinding ofsomewhere Englishto schoolslive
• curriculumopening anda qualificationsbank account
• behaviourregistering andwith disciplinea inGP
• setting schoolsup utilities
• Officeapplying for Standardsa innational Education,insurance Children’snumber

Overseas Servicesteachers andmay Skillsbe (Ofsted)

theunprepared Educationfor Endowmentpastoral Foundationduties, –the aEnglish charitycurriculum gatheringand internationalteaching evidenceto ondifferent teachingabilities. 5-Before toterm 16-year-olds

starts, you should:

• Timesallocate Educationala Supplementmentor (TES)to –offer informationpersonal and resourcesprofessional forsupport
• share teachersteaching resources, lesson plans, exam specifications
• Oakput Nationaltogether Academyan -induction videopack lessonsincluding:
  • your andschool’s accompanyingethos resourcesand invalues
  • expectations arelated broadto rangeSEND, ofpastoral subjectscare, forextra-curricular receptionactivities (ageand 4)other upnon-pedagogical toresponsibilities
  • school Yearpolicies 11on (agesafeguarding, 16),behaviour includingmanagement, specialistdata contentprotection foretc
  • professional pupilsexpectations
  • school withcalendar specialand educationalstaff
  • performance needsmanagement and disabilitiesprobationary (SEND)procedures

Overseas teachers can find information about English education at Train to teach in England if you’re a non-UK citizen.

Contact us

EmailFor international.teacherrecruitment@education.gov.ukmore information, to give us feedback or to take part in user research, please email us teach.inengland@education.gov.uk. We aim to respond within 5 working days.

The Get into Teaching website contains helpful information for non-UK teachers.